Learn, Inspire, Teach, and Serve in Rural China - 2010 Summer Volunteer Program

GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN -

PROGRAM

Dream Corps is recruiting 35-40 international volunteers to participate in its 2010 Summer Volunteer Program in rural villages and urban migrant communities of China. Volunteers will take part in activities that include
• Building basic library infrastructures
• Developing library management system
• Reading programs
• English teaching
• Facilitating community initiatives and projects
• Community understanding

The program consists of 3 days of training in Beijing, 3 weeks of volunteer work on assigned volunteer sites, and 3 days of concluding camp in Beijing.
We also have un-paid internship opportunities through our Summer Internship Program.

QUALIFICATION
This is an exciting opportunity for students, researchers, and young professionals interested in international development, rural education, and the non-profit sector in China. Our past volunteers were from more than 10 countries and regions and were primarily undergraduate and graduate students. Language: ability to speak mandarin Chinese is highly preferred.

EXPENSE
While no fee is charged, volunteers shall cover all of their travel, board and lodging expenses during the program, including airfare for the traveling to China. Typical total expense per person during the program is around 250 US dollars.

APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1: Online Application
a. Application form
b. Personal Statement (see guideline below for details)
c. Resume or CV
Application deadline is February 26, 2010. Because we have a rolling application process and our volunteer positions fill up quickly, we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. There is no application fee.
STEP 2: Interview
Applications are typically reviewed within a week. Qualified applicants will be interviewed over the phone or in person.
STEP 3: Notification of Decision
Final decision will be sent to you no later than March 19.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have more questions regarding our program, please visit our Summer Volunteer Program FAQ. If you have any questions regarding the application and volunteer selection process, please contact the Recruitment Committee at recruitment@dreamcorps.org.

IMPORTANT DATES
Jan 25: Online application opens
Feb 26: Online application officially closes
Mar 19: All acceptances notified
Mid April - Early May: Online training (4 to 5 sessions, about 2 hours per session)
May 23: Volunteer registration in Beijing, program begins
May 24-25: Volunteer training in Beijing
May 26: Volunteers departing for sites
June 25: Program ends at end of concluding forum in Beijing

PERSONAL STATEMENT GUIDELINES
Please keep your statement between 300-500 English words or 500-700 Chinese characters. As a general guideline, please cover the following:
1. Why do you want to volunteer with Dream Corps?
2. You previous social work or volunteer experience? Please include dates, locations, activities, and your roles.
3. Have you traveled or lived in rural China? For how long? If not, have you traveled or lived internationally? For how long? If so, please describe briefly (locations, dates and activities).
4. Have you had any teaching or tutoring experience? If so, please describe briefly (subjects, target audience and formats)
5. Do you hope to conduct a personal or academic research project during your possible stay in China with Dream Corps? If so, please describe briefly.
6. What do you believe are the values of books and reading to the lives of underprivileged children in China?